The good, the bad, and the ugly on Star Wars: Empire at War for the PC.
1) Visuals: The game has an unfair advantage over most others because it's a Star Wars game and the visuals have been laid out for Petroglyph for years and years now. Empire at War does present to the user the Star Wars look and feel. You get to see all the ships and land vehicles as well as some other structures. The character models when viewed up close leave a bit to be desired.
2) Learning curve: I'm 51/49 on making this a positive. The game is very easy to pick up. Empire at War is old school in the sense that it's about 6-8 years behind the times on RTS strategy and depth of on-the-battlefield features. You basically figure out what forces you have on the field and figure out what they match up against best and send them on their way. If as the Empire I engage some Mon Calamari Cruisers I just send bombers at them and forget they exist. And you do that with everything. The game is rather easy in this sense and a non-rts fan can easily pick it up which I think is a positive.
3) Map size: The galactic map is large enough to keep you happy and you get to find out about some of the planets in the Star Wars universe you may not have known about. You also get to go to all your old favorites.
4) Cinematic view: During the battles you can select a button to watch the battle from different cameras that will automatically alternate giving you different views of the battle. This is a neat feature that if given better graphics would be incredible, instead, it's just good.
5) Death Star: You get to use the Death Star if you play as the Empire. This alone is a good thing. What's really good is that once you blow up Alderan which you must do you can then use it on any other planet that you do not already control. So, you know that means Naboo is toast. Good by Jar Jar you lousy piece of....Ewoks went down next. Oh this did bring some odd satisfaction my way. I suspect it will bring you the same!
The bad:
1) Multiplayer: The multiplayer experience in Empire at War is poor. Good modern RTS games have progressed beyond the "hurry up and zerg" online game play but Empire at War is defiantly stuck in the past. The lack of in-depth features and strategic options in this game make multiplayer gaming a flat our unenjoyable experience. If you only need the Star Wars noises and explosions to keep you happy then this game is perfect.
2) Challenge: The games single player as well as multiplayer modes challenge is weak. Experienced RTS fans will be able bored quickly with Empire at War. This game is more gimmicky than anything else, trying to lure you in with the idea that it's Star Wars instead of it's Star Wars and it's a great RTS. This is not a bad thing if you're a fan of Star Wars but for fans of RTS games this is.
3) Story: What story? The game plays out almost as if it knows you know the story of Star Wars. Meaning it's not going to explain much to you and instead just give you some goals and direction instead of in-depth story with good cinematic that drive home the reasons behind your goals and directives. The lack of good story presentation was a big disappointment.
4) Heroes: Empire at War's lack of tactical depth really limits the individualized strengths and weaknesses of a hero. Yes you will find great use for a hero like the emperor but only because one emperor can wipe out waves of soldiers without much effort from you. You don't have to think much to use him or any other hero in this game.
5) AI: The AI in this game is pretty bad. Not only will your units often just go about their own business shortly after you give them orders but you will find them doing the most bizarre things such as leaving a battle chasing ghosts or taking 90 seconds before they decide to do what you ask. Yes other RTS's have had these AI issues but those RTSs are also 5+ years old.
6) Strategy: To win in Empire at War you really just need to be able to do two things; one being to use the units you have to counter what they are "strong" against and keep them away from what they are "weak" against, yes it's really that simple, and two zerg. Numbers matter in this game greatly.
7) Cinematic view: Yes this is a "good" it is also a "bad" in that the cameras can often time lock onto a ship that's not involved in any combat and for the next 20 seconds or so you're watching nothing worth your time. Also, the jerky motions of the fighters are really annoying and far ore exaggerated than what you see in the movies. The fact that you can sit in cinematic view while the battle goes on also indicates how simple this game is. You can sit there and win a battle while doing nothing but watching it from that view. Keep in mind while in this view you can't issue orders so wow.
The ugly:
1) Bugs: Oh the bugs. Empire at War will be needing a nice patch to fix it's single player game. You will be quite upset when you spend 30 minutes in a boring space battle only to find out that once you have eliminated the enemy in front of you that a couple of the ships are stuck outside the maps outer limits and can not be engaged so you have to reload your game or retreat from the battle.
Overall: Empire at War is a success at being a gimmicky game which is what I believe lucasarts was hoping for. To a serious RTS fan Empire at War will pose very little challenge and with the lack of story and cinematic it won't keep you interested for very long. However, you will buy the game and play the game for a period of time simply because it's an RTS, it's Star Wars, and it's not hard to play. It is just what it is, a gimmick game, and that in no way is a bad thing. If Empire at War is the beginning to what might become a big series of Star Wars RTS games then this game is a good beginning. However the game does not merit the 8.7 that gamespot threw it's way.
With a suggested retail price of $49.99 Empire at War is a definate pass until you see the price drop about 60%. Bargin bin this bad boy in the future.